Donating to College Alma Mater
 

Do you donate to your college alma mater? Why or why not?

Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2...#ixzz1y6T4ZDkG

I forgot to create the poll. :p

I donate to both (undergraduate and graduate). I attended public universities in CA and AZ, and received an excellent education. While I'm not a "heavy hitter" (no buildings will ever be named after me), it does give me a sense of quiet pride and satisfaction to be able to specify that my donations are to be applied to a specific department.

While in school, I benefited from "work-study" programs, assistantships, tuition waivers, and small scholarships. My dream is to fund a scholarship and I'm looking into how to do that.

I donate to my undergrad faithfully. I have auto-debit take a certain amount out of my account each month; at the end of each fiscal year, I send a little bit more to a specific cause. Going to the college I did is one of the top four decisions of my life and I want to "pay it forward." I'm also a very loyal volunteer and I sit on my college's Alumni Association Board of Governors.

My graduate school, however, is a different story. While it helped me professionally, I was less than impressed with the faculty and my fellow students. I have donated exactly $25--and that was to a lecture fund in memory of one of my favorite professors. I was the only person in my class who donated.

On a completely different note, I do not donate to my sorority.

I was fortunate enough to receive a full-ride scholarship to my undergraduate alma mater, where tuition alone runs about $35K per year. In gratitude, I have given donations every year since graduating. As my means allow I plan on increasing that amount, and hope to one day "sponsor" a student on the same type of scholarship I received.

I have a collegiate license plate which helps out with undergrad. scholarships otherwise at this point I am so F...ing pissed at A&M vet school for increasing class size and flooding the market with more vets we don't need, I will not give them one dime.

I had a (very close to) full ride scholarship to my undergrad school for playing the violin in their symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra and whatever they needed me for. I ended up majoring in communication. I ended up getting to anchor their broadcast news show, which was fun. I also got to participate in leadership in student government and help start a fraternity. I graduated debt free and will be eternally grateful and loyal to my undergrad school. I do regularly donate both to the liberal arts department and to my fraternity both locally and nationally. My wife is a graduate of the music school. I think whenever I get my law school loans retired, I'm going to see what I can do about repaying some of that scholarship money I received.

Compare that to my law school which clearly was in the business of legal education to profiteer off of law students so it could subsidize the school's undergraduates, pay tier 4 professors $150K-$200K salaries, etc., and I feel like I have already contributed enough. While I've been to a few alumni functions, having them ask me for donations while I'm still paying on my loans is kind of a slap in the face.

I donate a token amount every year and volunteer my time in every way I can. My university is so rich that I can't justify spending much of my philanthropy budget there when there are so many people in need. However, I had a great experience and want to help the university by boosting the donor participation rate.

I can't donate much at this point, however I was excited to discover that the Mason was listed as one of the places I could donate my credit card rewards. I'll periodically donate the rewards. I also volunteer with the admissions office.

Full disclosure, I also use my credit card rewards for gift cards, hah.

Do you mind if I ask why (in a purely curious and non-combative way)? Do you mean to your chapter, or the sorority at large? I ask because I think your organization is doing a lot of great things right now.

See, I'm the other way around.

My last tuition payment to my State U. a decade ago was the last time they received a penny from me. I was forced to attend State U. because it was the only one we could afford at that time. It wasn't a terrible school. It just didn't have a profound impact on my life the way some of yours did. I attend athletic events and proudly sport their gear and that's about it.

I regularly make donations to my high school alma mater and Alpha Gamma Delta because they really changed my life. When the collegians from my chapter have philanthropy events I also don't mind donating case of water or some snacks here and there. It's not much, and whenever I get the SOS email I don't hesitate at all.

I used to work for the development office when I was an undergrad, so I have been eagerly awaiting a call from the "Telefund" to ask for money. Even though I somehow got a parking ticket after graduation, I don't hold a lot of ill will toward the institution. I love the education I received, and the networking has been great (in the DFW area).

I still keep in contact with the Development directors and have let them know that I want to give. Whenever they call, I'll give something.

I serve on my university's alum assoc board and the one thing I've learned is that it isn't the amount of money given, but the number of people who give that matters. There are those fortunate few who can make huge donations, but the reality is that most of us can afford a minimal amount. When universities apply for grants and such, those offering the grants tend to look at the percentage of alumni who donate to see if the grads from the universities support their alma mater. Some schools have ridiculously rich endowments and foundations, but for those of us who go to the area State U the alum donations in any minimal amount can make a HUGE difference.

Moral of the story.....when you get that envelope, put $5 in it and send it back to your alma mater. It absolutely DOES make a difference!

I almost slipped into the script that we used in the development office lol. "US News and World Report's College Rankings rank based on the NUMBER of alums giving rather than the AMOUNT...so anything that you can give would be great!"

No I don't give.

Paying for pretty new buildings at my alma mater is Phil Knight's job. He's happy doing it and most of us are happy to let him. In return he gets to run the show (kind of) and we buy athletic apparel with swooshes all over it. It's a win-win. Well....other than being called whores on a regular basis, but I taught junior high, so I've been called worse. I've made my peace with it. :).

In truth, they call and I say no because I'm not in a financial position to do so and my charitable giving is engaged elsewhere. Besides, as much as I loved my university, my parents paid for me and I paid for my daughter so I feel as if we've done our bit for God and country.

When I win the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes, I will reconsider my position. Maybe sooner because I just read AxiDTrish's post and now I feel incredible guilt.

No. Michael Adams is a complete a-hole who increases class sizes, lets in tons of students, but won't hire the needed professors to keep up with the demands of a growing student population. If I knew my money was going towards teaching or research, I might consider giving. Instead, it will be used for sidewalks, fountains, and triumphal arches. I haven't given since I contributed to the senior gift 11 years ago. But Adams is retiring next year, so I may be willing to reconsider. We'll see....

AXOMom....I never understand when people donate to athletic depts or things like that. I mean, really?

I ALWAYS donate to the scholarship fund. I'd rather send a student to school! As a donor, you should always be able to decide where you money goes. I send a $20 check to State U every January. It's not much, but it's what I can do. A few years ago it was only $10. Alpha Xi Delta on the other hand gets more of my money. I donate to our Foundation, but I support the local level too. It's not tax deductible when I donate to the chapter I advise or my own chapter, but I take comfort in knowing I support nationally as well as locally. And most important....I love my girls!

I haven't given because until recently I considered my alma mater dead. They changed the name of the school a few years after I graduated, and many alums were not happy about it. They had already practically killed our football program, and a few years later had to change our mascot to the Warhawks. The campus is almost unrecognizable. I have given quite a bit to AOII towards paying back a scholarship I received. I am slowly coming around to the idea of paying back my scholarship to ULM, though, now with TOPS in Louisiana, scholarships for merit aren't really necessary. My little state school's budget has been gutted, and any donation I give would be a pittance compared to what is needed...an excuse, I know, but for now I'm committed to endowing scholarships through AOII.

Considering I'm unemployed thanks to my alma mater... not now. I did give in the past when I was able, especially to my class reunion scholarship fund. ZTA and my chapter get what I can give.

At some schools you have to "donate" to the athletic department in order to qualify for season tickets for football. This is how it works at LSU. A minimum donation is needed for each level of tickets. As for bigger donors, they are often former athletes who believe in the mission of the athletic program of their alma mater. It's an expensive endeavor and donors are always needed for stadium upgrades, etc.

ETA: it's the Athletic Foundation not the department directly.

Well in all fairness to Uncle Phil, he doesn't just give to the athletic department. He does give generously on the academic side as well (although he gives more to our athletic department). When I said he builds pretty buildings for us - a lot of those are academic buildings that he's either built or remodeled. Some would argue that because he gives so generously to the athletic department - it is one of the few that runs in the black and doesn't pull any money from the school. He also gives A LOT to academics at Stanford.

Beyond that you have guilted me into thinking I should give at least a little something the next time they call. Do you work in fundraising because if not - you should consider it. :).

I do not donate to my alma mater.

I participated in a five-year bachelor's/master's degree program. During my graduate year, I lived in graduate student housing with my then-fiancé, also a grad student. We didn't have caller ID, but if you got a call from on-campus you heard a double ring, while if you got a call from off campus you heard a single ring.

So he and I are in our apartment one evening when the phone rings - double ring.

Me: Hello?
Caller: Good evening, may I speak to aephi alum?
Me: This is she.
Caller: Hi, I'm calling on behalf of the school's telethon. For a generous donation of $250, you can -
Me: Hold it right there. You called my campus extension, right?
Caller: Yes...
Me: You only dialed five digits, right? You didn't dial 9, right?
Caller: Right...
Me: You therefore KNOW that I live in grad student housing, and am therefore more than likely a GRAD STUDENT. A POOR STARVING GRAD STUDENT. And YOU'RE asking me to fork over two hundred and fifty dollars???
Caller: Um... well, class participation percentage is more important than the dollar amount. You could maybe contribute $100, or...
Me: No.
Caller: Or even $25... or even $10... <sensing a lost cause>
Me: How about zero?!?

And I hung up.

A couple of minutes later, they called back for my fiancé (his last name was just a bit after my maiden name alphabetically). We let our answering machine have the pleasure of taking that call.

The thing is, I might have been willing to send a small donation their way each year, had that one call not left such a bad taste in my mouth.

I do not regularly donate to my alma mater because I am just as poor of a student as I was when I left. ;) Okay, I'm in a better situation but still not enough where I have a ton left over. I have donated to the scholarship fund a couple of times but not yet regularly. When I am in a better financial state, I full intend to be more financially supportive. However, I keep in contact with my old psychology department and, when I'm in town, I always stop by, speak to classes about what grad school is like, and give out my contact info in case the students have questions about what life is like on the other side. I have also supported productions from the English department since I was an English minor. I am more than happy to give back in that way because of how much my undergrad gave to me.

My previous graduate institution is a whole different story. I wouldn't give them a quarter if they needed to make a phone call. Unless I need a transcript, I usually deny I ever went there.

Ditto.

I donate to the Foundation because they gave me a SIS grant when I was on a medical and getting only 50% of my pay (after two weeks of no pay at all). I'm determined to at least pay back what they gave me and hopefully a lot more over the years.

They haven't approved changing "The Classroom Building" into "moe.ron hall", so no money from me.

No.
I do have a collegiate plate, but will not be donating to my alma mater. They changed the name over the protestations of alumnae because of the athletic department. They tried to mollify us by stating that the name change would be paid for by donations - couldn't those donations go to scholarships instead of changing all the signage? They GUTTED the philosophy department, as in reduced all faculty to part-time. They are investing millions in improvements to the football stadium - the one they can't fill now. They messed around with my daughter Gypsyboot's financial aid - no. I will not be donating any time soon. Luckily they don't need my money because OBVIOUSLY they are rolling in it or surely they wouldn't be spending so much on athletics.

I have (small) automatic donations that go to my undergraduate every month. It isn't a lot, but it goes to the annual fund. I don't think I will ever have a building named after me, but someone has to buy the toilet paper, light bulbs, etc. I received generous merit scholarships and other financial need, and I am so proud of everything my college has achieved in recent years. I get a little testy when I still get calls asking me to donate (I already AM donating!) but I generally just don't pick up the phone.

I don't donate to my graduate school as regularly for a number of reasons. 1) Different currency. 2) Lack of funding for students from Non-EU countries left a really bitter taste in my mouth. 3) They receive generous government support. If/when I do donate, I make sure that those funds are for international student support and/or North American alumni group events. I love my graduate school, but I don't see them as being as "needy" as my small liberal arts undergrad.

Same here -- well, except for the CA and AZ part. I received great educations at a great value, and I graduated without any debt. (Thanks, mom and dad!!!) I specify which funds I want my donations to go to. I've given to special campaigns as well and have served in alumni positions (and will ditto what AXiDTrish said).

I stopped donating when the previous presidents went about passively-aggressively decimating the Greek system. The threatening to expel students who belonged to a recognized-by-nationals-but-not-the-school fraternity was the topper.

If the new prez gets her shit together and shows that she's interested in something more than how many new buildings they can get on campus - like maybe recruiting students who don't want to go home every weekend - I'll consider it.

Either one. I actually haven't been that impressed with what my sorority's been doing lately; in fact, I hear about great programming from some of the other NPC groups and I'm not quite sure what's going on out there. Also, when I reached out several times to volunteer, I didn't receive a response. There are other things, that may seem petty that I won't get into.

It's funny to me how many people are saying that they don't want the money that they donate to their alma mater to go to Sports, Facilities, etc. You can direct where you want your donations to go...usually it's a button on the donation website but even if you write a check you list the specific department in the "Memo" line. Most of my money goes to the Annual Fund, but I also donate to very specific things like the minority student orientation or my department. Or...gasp! The Sports Foundation. Because of our specific issue, some of our sports programs are woefully underfunded.

My parents also donate to my undergrad (until recently, they were donating more than I did). They know how happy my experience made me--then and now, and the tax break doesn't hurt either. ;) My undergrad is #2 in non-alumni parent giving behind Duke so they're not the only ones.

What things have you seen from other groups that you'd like AXO to be doing? Out of pure curiosity.

And you know, the "I reached out to volunteer and nobody got back to me" is something I've heard from members of other NPC groups as well (won't name them.) It's so important for our member groups to be diligent in getting back to people with volunteer options, have a system set up for fielding volunteer interest, or respond and say "no thanks, we don't have need for that at this time."

I used to donate to my undergraduate school, but not my grad schools. I TA'd at one grad school and they got their money's worth out of us. The other school is so rich, it hardly matters if I donate.

I quit donating to my undergrad school after I got married. They started sending all of my mail to me in my husband's name -- "Mrs. John Doe." (My husband graduated from the same school.) I was royally pissed and still am. I'm an alumna in my own right -- they know my name. It's on my transcript. I didn't got there to get an MRS. degree. I have two graduate degees and a career in my own right. It's my money that they are asking for, not my husband's money.

Sending cranky mail to school did nothing to get my mail sent to me in my own name, instead of my husband's name. I started sending my money to Doctors without Borders and Heifer International instead.

Yes. Every year. I am also a lifetime alumni association member. I had a wonderful time academically and socially at my school. I had a number of great professors, and classes I found to be fascinating. Yes, I did have my share of TAs that I had a hard time understanding, but that is the way it is. I learned so much about life that had little to do with classes. I was beyond happy when my youngest decided to go there. She just graduated, after having a great four years also both academically and socially. Midwesterners really are welcoming to those who have not grown up in the Midwest. Anyways, I donate to a specific scholarship fund set up in the memory of a dean of the College of Business that was a friend of my father's, who also was a really great guy.

I do not donate to my school, it just isn't in my budget. I could see in the future maybe giving a little, but I would much rather give it to my GLO.

LOL!!! My alma mater has done the same and I too have to just hang up.

My situation is that it's not that I won't or wouldn't give to my alma mater, it's because my time & what spare money I do have usually goes to Kappa Alpha Theta causes--I support my chapter by volunteering (Advisory Board Chairman, Ritual Advisor, Administration Advisor, Facility Advisor) and I also purchase small things here and there for them like food & recruitment survival kits. I support my local alumnae group, which I founded as President and founded it to engage local alumnae to support my chapter. I am a yearly contributor to the Theta Foundation & our Friendship Fund. Being a Theta is one of the best decisions I've made and continues to be one of my greatest life experiences. It is both an honor and privilege to be able to give my time and what extra money I have to Theta, an organization that has and continues to give me so much.

I'm not sure if I would have ever donated to my alma mater if I wasn't a student caller when I was in undergrad. I think working that job for two years made me appreciate all the awesome things donors can help with, so I wanted to make sure I was a part of that when I graduated.

I donate directly to the College of Media scholarship fund. While I did not have a scholarship while I was there, I am EXTREMELY proud that my school has one of the top advertising programs in the nation, and I enjoy being able to help a deserving student in that field.

I also donate to my high school. I went to a private all-girls school and I really think the school helped to get me on the right track to success. I loved my four years there.

I also donate to Alpha Xi Delta...but not as much my schools (not that I donate a lot to them! lol)

No, I don't work in fundraising. LOL! I work in insurance! I tend to be passionate when I volunteer and I'm quite skilled at getting people to donate the three T's...Time, Talent, and/or Treasure! Everyone has something they are willing to give. I also love to network, so you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours! It's all about making it personal and I do that very well.

Don't feel guilty on my account. Everyone has their things they donate too.

I feel your pain. I have my own perfectly good first name, and I prefer Ms.

<threaddrift>My husband and I attended the same school, so we received two identical copies of our alumni magazine every time it was sent out. A few years ago, our alumni association sent a mailing to all married couples where both partners were alumni. They didn't want to waste paper by sending two copies to such couples, so the mailing asked if we wanted to continue receiving separate copies or just get one copy. We told them to send us just one copy.

From that day to this, whenever the alumni magazines are mailed out, we get a copy addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. John Doe" with a code indicating his major and year of graduation. AND we get a copy addressed to "Mrs. Jane Doe" with a code indicating MY major and year of graduation.

This saves paper how? :confused: </threaddrift>

I do not give a dime to my alma mater, for various reasons I won't bore everyone with again. The best was one year when I got a call during what they consider as "rivalry Week" to raise more money than the opposing school, and yes, I'd already donated as a supporter to the other school's fundraising efforts. However, I have many donations through the years to my initiating chapter of AOII as well as to the AOII Foundation in a variety of capacities.

The thing that really gets me is when I get the donation pleas from the schools where our two oldest are attending. We're already paying for them to attend your schools and you want MORE MONEY??? Seriously?

I don't donate to my undergrad and would never like HELL donate to my grad school.

I just cannot afford to donate to my undergrad right now-- things are toooooo tight.

As far as my grad school, hated being there, but since I had already committed and the financial aid was already sent, had to go. It's a good school, but I just wouldn't give a dime.